Does AGP4X capability really matter?

[Fun Guy]

I am considering getting a server motherboard that has AGP2X/Pro capability, but not AGP4X. I see many of the new video cards advertised as AGP4X, which I may get later, but the video board I will be using initially is the Matrox G400MAX, which I can't seem to find data on at all (AGP2X, 4X ... who knows?).

Will there be a difference in video quality that I will notice on the Matrox G400 MAX? What about on an AGP4X card? How will I know?

 

[Tray]

My geforce 2Mx wouldn't work on my AGP 2X board although i've heard it should. If you are buying a new motherboard i would get one that is 4X compatable for future use if nothing else.

 

[Rand]

The G400 MAX is compatible with AGP4X but I wouldnt worry about it, right now the most boost you'll get from AG4X is 1% at best, and it's highly unlikely you'll see any difference fromAGP4X except f\perhaps a bit of additional instability.

 

[Phuz]

Not at all..
1 - 3 fps increase..

 

[Quickfingerz]

you should only worry about agp4x if you are using a Geforce pro or faster.

 

[bacillus]

if you look in the product code string for the G400, if you see a 4A included then your card can do AGP X4 transfers. if it's not there then you're limited to AGP X2 transfers! 🙂

 

[BFG10K]

No, not really. In addition to providing virtually no performance gain from AGP x2, it often causes various problems. Don't worry about it.

 

[gooseman]

I'm with BFG10k, I've got an Elsa Gladiac Geforce 2 GTS running at AGP 4x and I can't tell the difference from running it at 2x. I might also note that 3DMark2000 can't really tell the difference either. I also have a Matrox G400 Dual Head 32Mb (not max though) in another machine and it runs great at 2x.

 

[badguy]

There is nearly zero performance gain from AGP4X.